STATE AND BUSINESS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVIII, Issue 229, 26 August 1938, Page 6

STATE AND BUSINESS.

GOVERNMENT’S ATTITUDE. OUTLINED BY MINISTER. Per Press Association. AUCKLAND, Aug. 25. The need for business men to, cooperate among themselves and with the Government in the settlement of the problems affecting business and industry generally was stressed by the Minister of Mines (Hon. P. C. Webb), in an address at a •luncheon arranged by the New Zealand Institute of Business Executives. The Government s attitude toward private business was that so long as it did its job properly there would be no interference. The Minister said when it failed it might be necessary in tlie public interest to step

in. Tariffs alone would not develop manufacturing industries. The time might come when the Government might have to inform any other country, including even England, that certain'products would not be wanted because they could be made efficiently by Dominion industries. “Prosperity cannot be got out of empty pockets,” added Mr Webb, “and when there is criticism of big expenditure for public works the critics do not suggest what otherwise could he done for the unemployed. If the hanks provide the necessary money for business well and good, but if not the monetary system might have to be overhauled. Whatever happens, .the people cannot be permitted to starve amid plenty.”